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Ferris - Minister must act quickly on nitrates implementation

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, Has called on
Minister Mary Coughlan to act quickly in order to ensure that farmers are
prepared for the introduction of the revised Nitrates regulations in January
2007. The European Commission has accepted Irish amendments based on
research into specific conditions here carried out by Teagasc.

Deputy Ferris said: "The acceptance of the revised regulations must be
welcomed. However, we must await to see in what manner the Department of
Agriculture acts upon Minister Coughlan's pledge that farmers will be
properly prepared prior to the regulation coming into effect from January 1
next. The reason for the scepticism is based on the fact that over 15 years
since the EU issued the Nitrates Directive that successive Irish Governments
sat on their hands. Only last year when it faced penalties for
non-implementation did it begin to act and to present any sort of scientific
argument for this country to be treated differently. That left farmers
affected in a situation where they were facing severe cost increases and
changes to their production systems. It is vital, therefore, that Teagasc
and other bodies begin now to lay the basis for the Directive coming into
force." ENDS